(De Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – Suriname may expect the first delivery of fuel and petroleum products from Venezuela before Christmas, President Desi Bouterse said on his arrival from Caracas. The President was in Venezuela for the historical founding of a new umbrella organization for all American countries from Mexico to Chile, the Celac. ‘Suriname has waited much too long with this deal,’ said the Head of State, ‘and we’re among the last in the Caribbean and Central America to join the deal.’ PetroCaribe is a two-pronged deal: fuel delivery at reasonable terms of payment and support for the agriculture industry. The deal was initiated by Venezuela when oil prices soared on the international market as a means to help the weaker economies in neighboring countries. Statistics show that between 2006 and 2011, some 200 million barrels of oil have been supplied to several countries in the region, saving them a quarter of a billion US dollars. The former governments’ policy was to protect Staatsolie’s position and the possible unwanted competition from the ‘cheap’ oil from Venezuela. Bouterse emphasized that the details of the signed deal will be discussed with stakeholders including Staatsolie. In addition, the community will also be informed on the details. Badrisein Sital, who was on the President’s delegation as technical advisor, said that Suriname will join the agriculture component of the Petro Caribe deal. The preconditions have already been drafted and next month the details will be worked out. The agriculture component of the deal allows Suriname to buy cheap raw materials and get financial support for this sector.
